An opportunity missed here, as we really should have got something from this game. Still, we were fielding a makeshift defence, including a 17-year old loanee at centre back.

The pitch was in a dreadful state, being heavily sanded, which affected the play at times but that was the same for both teams.

This was my first look at the Ian Murray galvanised team and we played some good stuff, knocked the ball about well – notwithstanding the pitch – and created good opportunities.

We were the better side in the first half and ought to have gone one up when debutant Nick Phinn delayed too long over a rebound and allowed the keeper to get into position to block his effort. Brian Prunty also blazed one over when he hurried his shot.

They scored when a man down as their defender had to go off to get a head wound bandaged up – bizarrely Jim Lister, also injured in the same incident, was not allowed by the referee to come back onto the pitch long after he was able to do so – our defence was drawn towards the ball and the back post was unguarded. Apart from that they had only one effort on target well saved by Stephen Grindlay.

Big Jim might have had a penalty if he’d gone down after the keeper caught him but he stayed on his feet, at the same time being forced wide, and the chance evaporated.

Prunty’s next effort was more measured. After receiving a great pass from Jim Lister he rifled it in off the post with almost the last kick of the half.

The second half was evens for a while. They scored again with a drive from the edge of the box, before Prunty equalised once more with a fine conversion after an assist from the bandaged centre back.

Raith had more of the last quarter but the killer goal was so late there was no coming back.

17 year old debutant Stuart Urquhart was not as raw as he might have been. Nick Phinn also had a reasonable debut (but should have scored.)

Earlier in the season with a makeshift team we’d have been pummelled. This felt like – it was – a point dropped.